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Project

Nature recovery on the Attingham Estate

Cows grazing in the meadow in late summer at Attingham Park, Shropshire
Cows grazing on the Attingham Estate | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

The Attingham Estate is around 1,500 hectares and includes woodland, parkland, tenanted farms and farmland. We want to make the land that we look after better for nature, and help people reconnect with the natural world on their doorstep.

Over the next 10 years, the Attingham Nature Recovery Project will restore nature-rich habitats, alongside supporting our tenants to adapt their farming practices, making more space for nature, capturing carbon, and increasing climate resilience of this fertile agricultural landscape.

By 2034, we want to see Attingham's soils teem with earthworths and insects, supporting the production of high-quality local food. Meadows will burst with wildflowers, and wetlands, woodlands and hedgerows will be alive with birdsong.

Infographic showing aims
Nature recovery aims at Attingham | © National Trust

Nature recovery aims at Attingham

Infographic showing nature recovery aims at Attingham

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Thanks to the support of the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme Demonstrator Programme we are now able to accelerate our activity at Attingham with a three-year funding agreement with the Environment Agency and Shropshire Council.

This is an ambitious project, and we'll need the support of partners and local communities to turn our plans into action on the ground. If you are interested in finding out more and getting involved contact attingham@nationaltrust.org.uk

Creating more space for nature at Attingham

Move the slider below from right to left to see how an area of the Attingham Estate could look in the future if we are able to deliver our nature recovery ambitions.

Slider with before and after images
Drone image showcasing the agricultural landscape at Attingham Park, Shropshire, with green fields, winding hedgerows, a river meandering through the scene, and distant hills under a clear blue sky.
Creating more space for nature at Attingham | © National Trust/ Worker Drones UK/ FDA Design
An aerial view of a picturesque rural landscape featuring a mix of lush green fields, a meandering river, a wetland area, and scattered trees.

From riverside meadows to orchard restoration and hedgerow planting, our countryside team of ranger staff and volunteers have been working with our tenants to support nature for many years. And yet, there is so much more we can do to help nature thrive here. Below is an overview of our nature recovery work on the Attingham Estate to date, including our recent pilot woodland creations at Lower Betton farm.

Infographic showing Attingham's nature recovery to November 2024 including; 21964 trees planted, 20 hectares of meadows restored, 15 ponds restored and 2 created, 30 km of hedgerows restored,  7 new orchards including 315 pear and apple trees
Our nature recovery work so far | © National Trust/Attingham

Latest nature recovery work

May 2025

Countryfile's Charlotte Smith helps the team translocate deadwood to Lambart Wood

On the upcoming episode of Countryfile, airing on Sunday 18 May 2025, Charlotte Smith joins the team in an exciting conservation effort at Lambart Wood. Together, they work to translocate deadwood, a crucial habitat component, to foster a more diverse environment for saproxylic insects. These insects, which depend on decaying wood, play a vital role in the ecosystem by aiding in decomposition and nutrient cycling. The episode will also feature segments from Attingham and Dudmaston, showcasing their unique contributions to preserving natural habitats and promoting biodiversity.

A camera crew film 3 people unloading deadwood from a tractor trailer
Deadwood translocation to Lambert Wood | © National Trust

Our nature recovery work

March 2025

Footage captured of raptor posts in use at Lambart Wood

Footage from Lambart Wood has captured a kestrel and a tawny owl utilizing the newly installed raptor posts. This exciting development demonstrates the effectiveness of these posts in attracting wild birds of prey to the area. By encouraging these raptors to hunt and feed in Lambart Wood, the initiative helps protect young trees from damage caused by small animals like mice, which can harm the shoots by nibbling on them. The presence of these birds of prey is a promising sign for the health and growth of the new trees in the woodland. 

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Tawny owl in black and white looking at camera
Tawny owl at Lambert Wood, Attingham, Shropshire | © National Trust

Contact us

Email

For further information or enquiries, please get in touch.

attingham@nationaltrust.org.uk

Our partners

Environment Agency

Environmental Agency is a public body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, working to create better places for people and wildlife, and support sustainable development.

Visit website 

Severn Valley Water Management Scheme

The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme is a Strategy being developed by a cross-border, multi-agency collaboration to reduce flood risk to people and infrastructure across the Upper Severn. Our Strategy will set out an innovative and nature-positive framework of interventions, combining the best of both nature-based solutions and traditional engineering. We need your help as we identify, develop and test options in collaboration with you.

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